CAREERS BASED ON SCIENCE
A brief introduction
Dear Student,
If you feel unsure about how you want to spend your working life let me assure you that this uncertainty is perfectly normal for very many students. This introduction to Careers Based on Science is to help you as you think about your future. Wherever possiblethe list of careers is arranged in groups which are broadly similar so that you can look at those that interest you most.
Towards the end I have described various types of scientific work and listed some of the industries and sectors that require scientists and other technical personnel. There is also some advice about the routes you can take to gain qualifications and experience. Finally I have given some general advice which may help you.
There are not always distinct divisions between different science subjects. Let’s take the familiar example of photosynthesis, the process in which green plants build up sugars from carbon dioxide and water in sunlight. Photosynthesis concerns plants, so it is biology, right? But it also involves complex chemical reactions, so maybe it is chemistry. Hold on a minute though, radiant energy from sunlight is essential, isn’t that physics? The answer is that photosynthesis involves biology, chemistry and physics working together.
This is reflected in the world of work where you will often find multidisciplinary teams. An example is doctors, biochemists, physicists, chemists and biologists working together on a medical research project, each contributing their own specialist skills and knowledge. The important point is that we should try tounderstand what is involved in a particular career and how it relates to other careers. Don’t think of careers as being each neatly contained in its own “box” separate from other careers.
And it is remarkable how much science is involved in careers that you do not immediately think of as being science-based. You may be surprised by some of the careers included in the next section.Only a very brief description of each career is given; detailed information on particular careers can be found by entering National Careers Service in your search, followed by the career which interests you.
SOME CAREERS BASED ON SCIENCE
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Biologist
Biologists study living things like plants and animals and the world they live in.
Microbiologist
Microbiologists study micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae.
Botanist
Botanists, or plant biologists, study all forms of plant life.
Zoologist
Zoologists study animals and their behaviour.
Geneticist
Studies genes which contain the information that controls what a living organism is like.
Toxicologist
Studies the impact of toxic materials and radiation on the environment and health.
Biochemist
Biochemists investigate the chemical processes that take place inside all living things.
CHEMICAL SCIENCE
Chemist
Studies the composition, structure and behaviour of chemicals under different conditions
EARTH SCIENCE
Ecologist
Ecologists study the relationships between plants and animals with the environment.
Geoscientist
Studies the structure of the Earth and how it was formed and shaped over time.
Meteorologist
Meteorologists study the Earth’s atmosphere, climate and weather.
Oceanographer
Uses knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics and geology in study of seas and oceans.
FOOD SCIENCE
Food Scientist/Food Technologist
Develops and ensures the safety of a wide range of products in the food and drinks industry.
FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic Scientist
Applies science to solving crimes and prepares evidence for use in courts of law.
Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO)
A SOCO locates, records and recovers evidence from crime scenes.
HEALTH SCIENCE
Hospital Doctor
Treats illness and disease in patients admitted to hospital.
Doctor – General Practitioner (GP)
Works alongside other health professionals providing medical care in a community practice.
Surgeon
Cares for patients who may need an operation because of injury or disease.
Nurse
Cares for people suffering from injury, illness or physical disability.
Medical Research Scientist
Devises and carries out experiments to increase knowledge of medical science.
Pharmacologist
Studies the effects of drugs and other substances on cells, humans and the environment.
Pharmacist
Dispenses and gives expert advice on the use and legal aspects of drugs and medicines.
Physiologist
Uses advanced technology to evaluate the functioning of different body systems.
Physiotherapist
Works with patients to improve their range of movement, health and wellbeing.
Radiographer
Uses different types of radiation to help diagnose or treat patients who are ill or injured.
Dentist
Diagnoses and treats problems affecting the mouth and teeth. Also promotes oral health.
Dental Technician
Designs, builds, repairs and adjusts dental appliances for people who have lost teeth.
Dental Nurse
Assists dentists with patient care from a simple check up to advanced treatments.
Medical Physicist
Researches and develops techniques and equipment for diagnosis and treatment.
Ambulance Paramedic
Deals with a range of medical emergencies requiring rapid response.
Optometrist
Carries out detailed eye examinations to test vision and identify problems.
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Works in many branches of science including education, research, healthcare and industry.
HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
Health and Safety Adviser/Officer
Uses knowledge and skills to reduce injuries and health problems in the workplace.
METALLURGIST
Investigates the processing and performance of metals for a vast range of applications.
NANOTECHNOLOGIST
Designs and builds tiny devices with applications ranging from medicine to robotics.
PALAEONTOLOGIST
Studies the remains or fossils of once living plants and animals.
PHYSICIST
Works in research and development of all types of technology from satellites to medicine.
PSYCHOLOGIST
Studies all forms of human and animal behaviour.
RECYCLING AND WASTE DISPOSAL
Recycling Officer
Plans and develops environmental and waste reduction policies and promotes recycling.
SPACE SCIENCE
Astronomer
Uses scientific techniques to study the universe, including its origin and composition.
Astrophysicist
Combines Astronomy and Physics to study the structure and evolution of the universe.
Astrochemist
Studies the composition of stars, planets and interstellar materials.
Astrobiologist
Studies evidence for the existence of life on other planets.
SPORTS SCIENCE
Sport and Exercise Scientist
Studies the human body and the way it moves to help improve health and performance.
TRIBOLOGIST
Improves performance of machines and saves energy by study of friction, wear and design.
VETERINARY SCIENCE
Veterinary Surgeon
Diagnoses and treats sick animals including domestic pets, farm and zoo animals.
Veterinary Nurse
Works with vets to provide nursing care for sick and injured animals.
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC WORK
Research
Although Research and Development are often classified together they are really different types of work and I have treated them separately here.
Research is concerned with the discovery of new information which was not known previously. It is often carried out in universities in many different fields of study, for example chemistry, physics, marine biology and psychology.
Commercial organisations also carry out research, for example medical companies searching for new products for treatment of illness and chemical companies making new molecules which have less environmental impact.
The Medical Research Council is an example of a government research organisation.
Much research activity is directed towards a particular objective. However some research is carried out to discover new knowledge without any defined commercial or practical aim. It can be very surprising how this so called “blue sky” research sometimes produces results which can be rapidly used in practical applications.
Development
Whilst research is mainly concerned with completely new discovery, development usually aims to improve existing materials, processes or equipment. Much scientific progress occurs by a process of evolution rather than revolution.
Development is most often carried out in commercial organisations seeking to introduce improved products in order to enhance their corporate image, maintain or grow market share and optimise profitability.
Quality Management
Management of the quality of products, processes and services is important in all aspects of scientific endeavour. We perhaps think first of Quality Management as making sure that a car, washing machine, chemical product or medicine is made correctly and works as intended.
However, Quality Management is equally concerned with the professional standards of care of patients in a hospital and the servicing or repair of your central heating system.
If anyone should doubt the importance of Quality Management, consider the dire consequences of a product recall owing to a fault. When several million products have been distributed far and wide and have to be recalled for repair or replacement, enormous costs are incurred, not to mention the loss of reputation involved which could take years to recover. “Right first time” is a key objective of the Quality Management profession.
Technical Support/Technical Service
Provision of Technical Support or Service to customers is mainly associated with commercial organisations. Examples of Technical Support are giving advice and/or practical help to ensure that products and services supplied meet the requirements of customers. This could involve carrying out test programmes on products in service to ensure that they are working correctly or trouble-shooting to resolve problems.
These services are very important to customers and are often a key factor in decisions about where contracts are placed. The technical staff who provide these services are experienced people with wide product knowledge and good communication skills.
EMPLOYERS OF PEOPLE WITH SCIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
The following list shows some of the sectors, organisations and industries which employ people with qualifications in science. The list is not intended to be complete; it is only intended to give you an idea of the range of possible employment opportunities.
-Education and Training
-Food Industry
-Chemical Industry
-Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Industries
-Metals industries
-Plastics and Rubber Industries
-Paints, Coatings and Colour Industries
-Textile Industry
-Brewing Industry
-Water Purification and Supply
-Environmental Protection
-Power Generation
-Analysis, Testing and Inspection Services
-Quality Management
-Government (examples: Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency)
-Healthcare
-Sports
-Animal Welfare
-Electronics and Computing
-Waste Management and Recycling Industries
-Occupational Health and Safety
PATHWAYS TO SCIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
Careers based on science often begin with a university degree. A degree may be required by employers of scientific staff and you will also need a degree if you want to progress to a higher qualification such as a master’s or doctorate.
If you decide to take this route your choice of university is important. Whilst all universities can be expected to be competent in teaching the subjects they offer, some universities may be particularly strong in certain subjects, for example by having very good facilities or special expertise for those subjects.
But a university degree is not the only route to a career based on science. College courses are available to enable you to “earn while you learn”. Apprenticeships can link together employment and education and lead to respected qualifications such as Higher National Certificate. Such a qualification is especially useful in technical careers, for example for Laboratory Technicians, who are employed in many branches of science. And if you decide later that you want to go further, successful students can progress to Full Honours Degrees at many universities.
All of this may seem very remote to you depending on what stage you have reached in your school education. I know that some students don’t finally decide which subject they want to study further until well into year 13. Many higher education courses begin with “core” studies in the first year, thereby enabling students to determine whichmore specialised areas they want to study later in their course. The important point at school, if you are not certain about your future direction, is to keep your options open as long as possible. So if you think a career in science might be for you, include appropriate science subjects in your studies.
You can find out the most appropriate subjects to study for particular careers from your Careers Adviser and University or College prospectuses. Guidance is also available at your school careers conventions.
YOUR FUTURE – a few thoughts.
There is an advantage in trying to get the best qualifications you can because they can open wider choices in career opportunities. However, you will do best in subjects which you enjoy and you should be attracted towards a future career because you feel that you want to do that type of work.
I noticed when researchingthe requirements for various careers how often “good communication skills”, “prepared to work as a member of a team” and “well-organised” appeared.
Certainly the ability to prepare and deliver a clear presentation on your subject,which engages the interest of your audience, is very valuable; so practice and improve these skills. Some people love to give presentations; others turn to jelly at the thought. But however good or bad you are, you can improve and amaze people.
Teamwork is important to employers because they know that when people cooperate and communicate well they produce the best results.
And a well-organised approach is also very important in your studies and career. It is surprising how many good students, who have experience of sitting examinations,sometimes spend far too much time on one question and thereby lose the opportunity of gaining the marks of which they are capable! This is just one example (although a rather important one) of the need to be organised. It’s not difficult, you can do it; being well-organised makes a big difference.
You will continue to learn throughout your life, just as I have learned a lot from writing this brief introduction to careers which are based on science for you. And you will probably study other subjects during your career. For example a scientist might attend a management course if he or she is requested to take responsibility for the work of others.
Remember also that careers are people-based. Show respect for everyone you encounter (not just the boss) and try to be trustworthy, reliable, fair and consistent in your dealings with others.
Whatever you do in your career, I hope that this information is of some use and I wish you happiness and fulfilment in your life.
David Neadle.
Chartered Chemist, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
STEM Ambassador.